Unearthed Arcana: human paragon

[Davelozzi]

So, like many of the other folks on these boards, I've been reading through Unearthed Arcana the past few days and contemplating the various options.

In particular, I like the racial paragon classes but I'm not really satisfied with the human paragon. I feel like having +1 spellcaster level is such a great benefit that there's it doesn't really seem fair that non-spellcasters don't get anything else in compensation. What does everyone else think about this? Has anyone reworked the class at all yet?

 

[TracerBullet42]

Well, upon completing the three levels, non-casters will still gain a new class skill, an ability increase of their choice (+2), and...well, I forget what they get at second level...I think it was a bonus feat.

So that's not too shabby. Granted, spell casters will gain a little more, but that goes for most of the paragon classes...

 

[Davelozzi]

Granted, spell casters will gain a little more, but that goes for most of the paragon classes...

Well, I guess my issue is that for elves or gnomes, the magic aspect is part of their racial identity, so it makes more sense. If I wanted a strictly warrior elf, I'd keep playing fighter, but if I want a character who is the quintessential elf, I'd expect spellcasting to be a part of that.

Whereas for humans, their whole schtick is versatality, so it seems like favoring one particular type of class (spellcasters) is sort of missing the point. Of course, YMMV.

 

[Darklone]

I used these classes since Monte posted them on his page. I didn't really check yet whether they changed them.

One thing I REALLY don't like is a half-elf fighter/wiz1 with full half-elf and human levels, not bad spellcasting and strength +4.

 

[TwoSix]

Let them gain the spellcasting abilities of a 1st level spell-using class, their choice. That makes them pretty versatile, and doesn't force them to gain a pure spellcaster level to benefit from the paragon class. Makes sense to me.

 

[jgsugden]

Don't think of it as the spellcasters gaining more than the nonspellcasters. Think of it as the spellcasters avoiing a greater loss. I wish I had more time to explain this in detail, but I don't right now ... grrrr ... think about it. It may clear things up for you.

 

[Crothian]

He is right, spellcasters loosing out on a level of spellcasting ability can be pretty bad. So, if a wizard takes all three of the human paragon levels he only has to loose out on 2 spellcasting levels instead of three.

 

[Davelozzi]

I used these classes since Monte posted them on his page. I didn't really check yet whether they changed them.

I did, just this morning. There were barely any changes at all and the ones that existed were very minor. For example, the dwarf paragon had his two +1 save bonuses at first and second level combined into one +2 bonus at second. The half-elf had his bonus to Cha based skills changed slightly - in one place (monte's?) it was a straight +2 to all, in the other (UA, I think) it was change the +2 bonus on Diplomacy and Gather Info to +3, and then a +2 bonus on all other Charisma based skills. I think the halfling had more hp in UA (d8 vs. d6) but the extra thrown weapon bonus was switched to damage only (no more attack bonus than a regular halfling). I can't remember if there were any others, but if so they were just as insignificant.

Crothian, jgsugden - yeah, that's one way to look at it. hmmm...

 

[pawsplay]

First, as noted above, non-spellcasters already get some nice bonuses. And nothing in the language of the ability says you can't "save" the increases. Second, as noted above, casters lose one caster level (but should take the class anyway). Third, what is a human Paragon? Most likely you are looking at a Paladin, a character with one or more levels in Cleric to a human-friendly deity, or some kind of archmage type.

Things to do with human Paragon:

Sorcerer Loremaster - Take Knowledge (something) as your permanent class skill, or just load up while you're in the class. This also works for Druids.

Shining Knight - Paladin/Paragon works, and isn't, strictly speaking, multiclassing outside Paladin. If you're not the lawful good type, Fighter 4/Cleric 1/Paragon 3 is great. The bonus Feat can be used for early entry into Cavalier, Knight Protector, etc. The baddie version could go Fighter 4/Cleric 1/Paragon 3 and then right into Blackguard.

High Archmage - Losing a caster level just might be worth a bonus Feat and +2 to your main spellcasting stat. And it looks good on your resume. "I'm a Wizard Archmage, and a Paragon of humanity."

Annoy your Gamemaster - Half-elf Fighter 3/Sorcerer 1/Paragon (half-elf) 3/Paragon (human) 3/Dragon Disciple 10. Now you're a pinnacle of both your races, and half-dragon! You have a total of +12 Strength.

 

[Viktyr Gehrig]

Annoy your Gamemaster - Half-elf Fighter 3/Sorcerer 1/Paragon (half-elf) 3/Paragon (human) 3/Dragon Disciple 10. Now you're a pinnacle of both your races, and half-dragon! You have a total of +12 Strength.

And as a Half-Dragon, you are now qualified to take Half-Dragon paragon levels...